| Gerry Harvey,
Chairman
Dynamic
and famously down-to-earth, Gerry Harvey’s name is synonymous
with retail success as co-founder, chairman and major shareholder
of the fast-growing Harvey Norman integrated retail, franchise
and property group, which posted a December 2007 half-year
profit from underlying business operations of $174.14 million
– up from $132.87 million for the previous half-year
period.
Harvey began his retailing career in 1961. Harvey Norman
now has 193 franchised complexes throughout Australia and
61 company-owned stores in 5 offshore markets; total value
of the Harvey Norman property portfolio, primarily retail
complexes, is $1.56 billion.
Harvey Norman’s inventive and modern approach combined
with an emphasis on people has proven to be an unbeatable
formula -- one that has been applied to Magic Millions with
stunning effect.
Since purchasing Magic Millions in 1997, the Gold Coast-based
auction house has emerged as one of the world’s most
respected and innovative sale companies, successfully consolidating
market share in Adelaide, Perth, Tasmania and in Singapore
and Malaysia.
With around 900 horses including some 300 well-bred matrons
at his historic Baramul Stud in the NSW Widden Valley, Harvey
is among Australia’s biggest and most successful owner-breeders,
recently extending his bloodstock portfolio to part-ownership
of blue-ribbon stud farm Vinery.
Group 1 winners Polar Success, Lotteria and Savabeel are
among horses Harvey has bred or owned, along with last season’s
Group 1 placed two-year-old Solo Flyer.
Under Harvey’s guidance, the spectacular property Baramul
has enjoyed a resurgence as a leading consignor; selling horses
such as impeccably-bred Arlington for $1.55 million.
Harvey’s indefatigable energy has resulted in successful
ventures into property development, tourism and beef production,
but the retail king particularly relishes being part of the
annual action at Magic Millions.
John Singleton, Director
John
Singleton was the founding shareholder and a prior director
of STW Communications Group Limited (STW), a publicly listed
company on the Australian Stock Exchange. STW owns a controlling
interest in Singleton Ogilvy & Mather, one of Australia's
largest advertising and communications companies.
John Singleton is the major shareholder of the Macquarie
Radio network – which operates Radio 2GB and Radio 2CH
in Sydney. John is also a Director and a major shareholder
of the Magic Millions Group and Pleasure State Group, Australia’s
leading lingerie manufacturer and exporter.
John Singleton has served on the Board of John Fairfax Holdings
Limited, the Sydney Opera House and Television and Telecasters
Limited (Channel 10). He was also a member of the Australian
Olympic Committee for 2000 and the Chairman of The Commonwealth
Games Committee for 1998.
John Singleton was awarded the Order of Australia in 1994
for service to the community through personal support and
fundraising activities for charitable, sporting and research
organisations and was also awarded the Australian Olympic
Committee, Prime Ministers Sports medal in 2000.
Singleton’s famous zest for life gains full expression
through his considerable bloodstock interests as owner of
boutique Mt White property Strawberry Hill and part-owner
of Vinery Stud in the Segenhoe Valley in NSW.
His passion for horses – whether standing in the paddock
admiring his mares such as Melbourne Cup winner Jezabeel or
celebrating a victory in the winner’s enclosure –
is unmistakable.
He has enjoyed success at racing’s elite level with
fillies including Sunday Joy, Belle du Jour, Ha Ha, and, earlier,
the international star Strawberry Road.
At present Singleton is relishing the autumn campaign of
Publishing, a colt he bred and co-owns with high-profile racing
man Lloyd Williams.
Singleton has been instrumental in the growth of Magic Millions
as a major Queensland event and one that attracts an increasing
number of visitors from abroad. He once described the carnival
as “the Melbourne Cup in shorts”.
Rob Ferguson, Director
Rob
Ferguson is perceived as the quiet third element of a high-profile
triumvirate, but the accomplished executive reveals he thrives
best in “a buzzy, active environment” and his
role in the continued growth and robust position of Magic
Millions cannot be under-estimated.
"I like having my teeth into something I can focus on,"
he has said. "I work better when I'm driven by a need
to perform for the group - the whole team thing."
Appointed executive chairman of litigation funding group
IMF Australia in June 2007, Ferguson has served with distinction
on the boards of Vodafone Australia and Westfield Holding.
Ferguson’s brief at IMF is to review the potential
of IMF to expand its business in litigation funding activities
in Australia and offshore and to review diversification opportunities.
Ferguson joined Banker’s Trust in 1972 and held the
position of chairman from 1985 to 1999.
Ferguson’s racing interests extend to being a director
on Racing NSW. He is a successful consignor of Group 1 horses
such as Nick’s Joy and has enjoyed success at the highest
pinnacle as part-owner of the 2001 Golden Slipper winner Ha
Ha.
Ferguson holds an Honours Degree in Economics from Sydney
University and is a Fellow of the Securities Institute of
Australia.
He is also deputy chairman of The Sydney Institute.
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